Avalanche Rescue Helmet

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, a protective helmet for skiers, snowboarders or for use in other alpine sports is characterized by a channeling system having a mouthpiece and a respiratory-air intake region and a respiratory-gas outlet region which is arranged on the helmet at a distance from the intake region.

The invention relates to a helmet.

Helmets are known to protect the human head and are therefore tied to the ergonomic dimensions of the same. The outer shape of the helmet is an aesthetically pleasing configuration which meets functional requirements.

A helmet primarily protects those zones of the head which are in need of protection. The dimensions of the helmet define how it fits on the human head. In order also to ensure protection in situations where the user is moving as he is wearing the helmet on his head, a lockable neck strap defines the protective position of the helmet on the head.

The object of the present invention is to provide a ski and/or snowboard helmet which is intended for use in alpine locations and at which the application area has been extended.

This object is achieved by the features formulated in claim 1. The configuration of the helmet is specified in the subclaims.

According to the invention, helmets may differ in respect of dimensions and aesthetic designs, the respectively current, valid DIN standard defining the dimension-specific limits for safeguarding the anatomically defined protection zones. There are therefore a number of different models rather than just one archetype.

In dependence on the protection zones, it is possible to provide a helmet with additional functions. One such additional function is the separation of the locations where the user inhales oxygen (O₂) and exhales carbon dioxide (CO₂) while wearing the helmet. This additional function makes it possible for the respective user, in this case an avalanche victim to survive longer under an avalanche of snow. Although any density of snow is permeable enough to allow an avalanche victim to be supplied with sufficient O₂, the most frequent cause of death for avalanche victims up until now has been suffocation. This is due to the fact that the victim, rather than dying from a lack of O₂, repeatedly inhales the CO₂-containing air which he has exhaled. This results in the victim's air supply being contaminated and, possibly, in the victim dying as a result of suffocation. The invention is distinguished in that it is possible according to the invention, via a mouthpiece which is connected to the helmet and, in the event of an avalanche, is located in the victim's mouth, to inhale the O₂-containing air from the snow and, in addition, to expel the CO₂-containing exhaled air such that it is not inhaled again and, as a result, represents a potential cause of death.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a helmet according to the invention, although the user is not included in the illustration of the FIGS. 1 and 2.

The helmet wearer can if required, that is to say if he is endangered by an avalanche, actuate a triggering button 8 using pressure. This unfolds a folded-up, rubbery hose 6, which is located directly in front of the user's mouth, such that the respective user can reach this hose, in its unfolded state, simply by opening his mouth. If the individual is completely buried by the avalanche, that is to say if even his head is buried, he then keeps the hose-like part 6 in his mouth, additionally held by the jaw muscle (mouthpiece similar to a snorkel). The helmet has, as oxygen-intake region, openings 1 which are distributed over the entire helmet and, in order to prevent blockage by snow, are provided with a kind of permeable lattice structure. The cavity 2 which forms between the outer shell 4 and inner shell 3 a serves here as a kind of artificial air space. This air space is very advantageous as an intermediate zone in order to reduce the mechanical resistance during the intake of O₂-containing air to the extent where the victim does not become exhausted within minutes as a result of trying to overcome excessive resistance caused by snow clogging up his airways, and consequently physically no longer capable of taking in the oxygen available. A frequent cause of death for avalanche victims is therefore suffocation, brought about by a lack of oxygen and repeated inhalation of their own CO₂-containing exhaled air. If the victim, then, sucks on the hose 6, the cavity 2 means that he filters, for the most part in a resistance-free manner, the O₂-containing air from the avalanche snow in his immediate surroundings. If the victim then breaths from beneath the avalanche, the channels of air are directed via two control valves 5 a and 5 b. The control valve 5 a, which is air-permeable on one side, ensures inhalation of the O₂-containing air via the mouth hose 6 and, at the same time, prevents the CO₂-containing exhaled air from flowing back in this direction. The control valve 5 b, which is likewise directed to one side, ensures that the CO₂-containing exhaled air passes through only the valve 5 b, and likewise cannot flow back, and therefore leaves the helmet in the desired direction through the cavity 7. In the central neck region, the CO₂-containing exhaled air is expelled to the surrounding snow via the outlet opening 9. At the opening, that is to say the respiratory-gas outlet region 9, it is additionally conceivable to have a hose-like extension which increases the distance between the respiratory-air intake region and the respiratory-gas outlet region, in order to minimize the probability of the CO₂-containing exhaled air being inhaled again. This extension may be located above and beneath the ski clothing and likewise has, at its end, an opening from which the CO₂-containing exhaled air passes out.

FIG. 1 shows the perspective view of a helmet according to the invention which has its shell structure partially opened up to reveal the functioning of the helmet via the layered construction and all the other elements.

FIG. 2 shows the rear view of a helmet according to the invention to which the hose-like extension 9 has been connected. 

1. A protective helmet for use in alpine sports, the helmet comprising: a pair of inner and outer helmet shells forming a cavity therebetween, the cavity functioning as an air space; and a channeling system comprising: a mouthpiece; a respiratory-air intake region; and a respiratory-gas outlet region which is arranged on the helmet at a distance from the respiratory-air intake region.
 2. The helmet according to in claim 1, wherein the channeling system is integrated in the helmet.
 3. The helmet according to claim 1, further comprising at least one valve in the channeling system which allows air for breathing to pass essentially only from the respiratory-air intake region to the mouthpiece and/or respired air to pass from the mouthpiece to the respiratory-gas outlet region.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The helmet according to claim 1, further comprising openings distributed over the outer helmet shell allowing air to penetrate into the cavity.
 6. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory-air intake region is arranged in a face region of the helmet.
 7. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the helmet further comprises a chin strap.
 8. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory-gas outlet region is arranged in a neck region of the helmet, the respiratory-gas outlet region optionally further comprising an extension.
 9. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the channeling system comprises a hose which extends the channeling system in the direction away from the helmet for placement of the respiratory-gas outlet region away from the respiratory-air intake region.
 10. The helmet according to claim 9, wherein the hose has a flat cross section for positioning between ski clothing and a user's body.
 11. The helmet according to claim 9, wherein the hose has a rigid cross section in the portion between ski clothing and a user's body.
 12. The helmet according to claim 7, wherein the respiratory-air intake region is arranged in the chin strap. 